Immigration legal representatives will soon be available at both Los Medanos College and Diablo Valley College once a week. 

A representative from the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (I.I.B.A) will be coming to LMC Pittsburg campus once a week, starting March 3 every Tuesday. Starting March 5 to DVC starting every Thursday to offer free immigration related legal advice to students. These consultations have a focus on immigration law but, when needed there can be referrals for questions intended for more detailed assistance.

The California Department of Social Services (C.D.S.S) partnered with the Community College Foundation to group together LMC and DVC with local immigration law offices in the area, “to provide free legal immigration related consultations on campus once a week at each campus,” said lawyer from I.I.B.A Juan Ortiz. 

While this help is now going to be offered, students and members seeking legal advice should be aware that these consultations may not be long enough in time to cover certain issues. However, referrals can be made to further address those issues in other meetings. 

The “Lunch with Lawyers” event was held in the new Student Union building at LMC Tuesday, Feb. 25. It was an important meeting that brought further awareness to LMC’s free assistance that is offered to students. 

Towards the conclusion of the event there was an opportunity for a questions and answers segment offered by Ortiz’s experience through school. Giving the students a chance to look into an example of how to pursue a legal career if they are interested.

Many students thought that the event was helpful and a good resource to have on campus for the community. 

Roshanna Newt, the Student Ambassador for Umoja Scholar Program, said the event was informative, as well as “helping others with document issues is really helpful at the community college level.”

Another student, Marcelo Clark, mentioned the helpfulness of this event saying, “I think it’s a great opportunity for students and staff for free legal services making it more accessible.” 

The I.I.B.A nearest office is located at 121 Sand Creek Rd, Suite B in Brentwood, Calif. 94513. For more information or questions about this topic, call (925) 237-8581 or send an email to [email protected].